US money is about 65% against the Pound. Everything is usually face value at par. Meaning, a 15 dollar pizza is 15 pounds sterling. Are you sure you want to go to Europe, especially Scotland? You mentioned things were going too left here. Our furthest left is center or center right in Europe (except the fiasco in England right now with Bojo the Clown). Scotland has not been especially fond of the British or Americans lately. We have been 1933 Nuremberg for years. With all the new reports of the US being the worst industrialized country in the world to be a worker, you'll be looking at a completely different situation. Having not paid into their system, it may be difficult to use their stuff like socialized medicine without out of pocket costs to you. Also, unless you're one or two generations away from a former citizen, you may not be allowed any kind of citizenship. Ireland is one of the most lenient. If you're Jewish, and had a relative run out of Germany, you may be eligible, or if you had relatives run out of the Baltics by the advancing Russian Army in '40, you also may be eligible. When the Iron Curtain fell, many immigration laws were changed.
Look at everything closely. Since my parents gave up my German citizenship when I became an American (at 11 years old), I am no longer able to apply for German citizenship, although a former citizen. Immigration laws vary from country to country. Do your homework.
